Semiconductor device having a plurality of chips

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes lead frames (21) respectively having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to each other, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces, a first semiconductor chip (22) arranged on first main surface sides of the lead frames, first tape leads (23) electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip (24) arranged on second main surface sides of the lead frames, and second tape leads (25) electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the lead frames to the second semiconductor.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/778,993, filed Nov. 14, 1991, now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to high-mounting density semiconductor devices which utilize TAB (Tape Automated Bonding).

BACKGROUND ART

FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively show typical examples based on conventional mounting schemes. Referring to FIG. 1A, a semiconductor chip 12 is die-bonded on a die stage 11 of a lead frame, and then bonding pads formed on a chip face of the semiconductor chip 12 and outer leads 14 of the lead frame are wire-bonded together by bonding wirings 13. The bonding is carried out by a thermocompression bonding procedure during which ends of the bonding wires which have been heated are placed on members which are to be bonded. According to the above wire bonding procedure, it becomes possible to automatically connect the semiconductor chip 12 and the lead frame 14. During the wire bonding procedure, the bonding pads are processed in series.

FIG. 1B shows a TAB-based mounting structure. A plurality of parts which are to be bonded are prepared on the chip face of the semiconductor chip 12. Tape leads 17, each having a plurality of corresponding leads, are arranged on the parts on the chip face. By using bumps 16, a thermocompression bonding procedure is carried out so that the tape leads 17 are bonded to the parts via the bumps 16 at one time. After the bonding procedure on the semiconductor chip 12 and the tape leads 17 is carried out, a positioning procedure on the tape leads 17 and the outer leads 14 is carried out. Hence, the tape leads 17 and the outer leads 14 are bonded together in such a manner that plating layers of the tape leads 17 and the outer leads 14 form eutectic crystals. It is possible to provide the bumps 16 on the bonding pads of the semiconductor chip 12 or provide the bumps 16 on the end portions of the tape leads 17.

By using the TAB procedure, it becomes possible to execute a bonding procedure on a plurality of bonding parts at one time. As compared with the bonding wires 13, it is easy to fine produce the tape leads 17. For these reasons, the TAB procedure can satisfy recent requirements of increase in the number of pins and increase in the integration density.

A resin molded semiconductor device can be produced by sealing a bonded assembly with a molded resin.

The feature scale of pattern is being reduced. However, there are limits upon the number of pins and the integration density while the shapes of packages being used at present are maintained. The conventional package structures have limits upon an increase in the integration density arising from a package size, that is, an internal space of the package.

The conventional mounting techniques for increasing the number of pins and the integration density by reducing wiring patterns and the pitch of electrodes are indented to improvement in the density in the two-dimensional area.

Recently, semiconductor devices having a plurality of semiconductor chips provided inside a package have been proposed. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-17050 shows a semiconductor device in which semiconductor chips are mounted on both sides of a supporting base and the semiconductor chips are connected to the lead frames by bonding wires. After bonding, the semiconductor chips are sealed by a mold resin.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-137665 discloses a semiconductor device in which at least two pellets are disposed on both sides of lead frames and electrode parts of the pellets are bonded to the lead frames (by soldering bumps). After bonding, the pellets are sealed by molding.

Further, "NIKKEI MICRODEVICES", Nov., 1989, discloses a structure in which four LSI chips, each being sealed by molding, are successively stacked in order to improve the integration density per area.

However, the semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-17050 has the following disadvantages. First, it is impossible to considerably reduce the distance (pitch) between adjacent pins because the wire bonding is used. Second, it is necessary to bend the bonding wires (see FIG. 1A), and it is difficult to produce a thin structure because of use of the supporting base.

The semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-137665 has the following disadvantages. In light of production process, it is difficult to directly adhere the semiconductor chip on the lead frames by means of soldering bumps. Particularly, it is very difficult to precisely attach a semiconductor chip to the lead frames to which another semiconductor chip has been attached. If an positional error occurs, the semiconductor chips may be exposed from the molded resin.

The structure disclosed in "NIKKEI MICRODEVICES" has a first disadvantage in that a thin structure cannot be produced because the four molded LSI chips are successively stacked and a second disadvantage in that a complex step is needed to adhere the four LSI chips.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are bonded via tape leads.

The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a semiconductor device comprising: lead frames respectively having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to each other, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces; a first semiconductor chip arranged on first main surface sides of the lead frames; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; a second semiconductor chip arranged on second main surface sides of the lead frames; and second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip.

The above objects of the present invention are also achieved by a semiconductor device comprising: first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair located a position opposite to the first pair; a plurality of lead frames having first portions and second portions spaced apart from the first portions, the first and second portions having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to the first main surfaces, the first pair being located on the side of the first portions of the lead frames, the second pair being located on the side of the second portions of the lead frames, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; third tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the third semiconductor chip; and fourth tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the fourth semiconductor chip.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are also achieved by a semiconductor device comprising: first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair; lead frames having first and second surfaces, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to the first surfaces of the lead frames; and second tape leads electrically connecting the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second surfaces of the lead frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a conventional semiconductor device;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of another conventional semiconductor device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a tape lead used in the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the tape lead shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lead frame used in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mirror symmetry relationship,between terminal arrangements which can be employed in the first through third embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a chip select circuit provided in a semiconductor chip in each of the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention which is mold-sealed;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E are diagrams of steps to product the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 11B is a plan view of a part of the variation of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 11A;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams of chip select circuits respectively provided in semiconductor chips of the semiconductor devices shown in FIG. 10 or FIGS. 11A and 11B;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the outline of the present invention. According to the present invention, semiconductor chips are mounted on both surfaces of a lead frame by using TAB.

Referring to FIG. 2, lead frames 21 have first main surfaces (for example, upper surfaces) and second main surfaces (for example, lower surfaces). Tape leads can be bonded to both the surfaces of the lead frame 21. A first semiconductor chip 22 is arranged on the upper sides of the lead frames 21, and the first main surfaces of the lead frames 21 are electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip 22 via first tape leads 23. A second semiconductor chip 24 is arranged on the lower side of the lead frames 21. The second main surfaces of the lead frames 21 are electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip 24 by second tape leads 25.

It becomes possible to provide a plurality of semiconductor chips on both sides of the lead frames 21 in the following manners. The lead frames 21 are formed so that the first and second main surfaces thereof can be bonded. The first semiconductor chip 22 is arranged on the sides of the first main surfaces of the lead frames 21, and connected to the first main surfaces of the lead frames 21 by the first tape leads 23. The second semiconductor 24 is arranged on the sides of the second main surfaces of the lead frames 21, and connected to the second main surfaces of the lead frames by the second tape leads 25.

The semiconductor chips 22 and 24 can be selectively activated by using, for example, a chip select signal. In this case, there is not any problem arising from the arrangement in which the first tape leads 23 and the second tape leads 25 are connected to both the sides of the same lead frames. Since a plurality of semiconductor chips can be accommodated on an identical area, it becomes possible to double the mounting efficiency. It is not necessary to greatly modify production facilities in order to fabricate the present invention because the structure as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained by repeatedly executing tape automated bonding with respect to the lead frames.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3A, the first semiconductor chip 22 is arranged on the upper sides of the lead frames 21, and the second semiconductor chip 24 is arranged on the lower sides thereof. Bent tape leads 29 electrically connect the first semiconductor chip 22 to the upper surfaces of the lead frames 21, and bent tape leads 30 electrically connect the second semiconductor chip 24 to the lower surfaces of the lead frames 21. The semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are connected to the tape leads 29 and 30 by bumps 27, which are made of gold (Au) and formed on Al wiring layers on the semiconductor chips 22 and 24.

The tape leads 29 have a structure as shown in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B. A copper leaf pattern 35 having a thickness of approximately 30 μm is adhered to a polyimid tape 33 having a thickness of approximately 125 μm by means of an insulating adhesive 34. Both ends of the copper leaf pattern 35 project from the polyimid tape 33. This structure facilitates bonding. First, a three-layer structure composed of the layers 33, 34 and 35 is formed. Second, the copper leaf 35 is patterned. Third, the polyimid tape 33 is patterned so that the end portions of the leads project therefrom. The patterned polyimid tape 33 supports the tape lead 29 so that the tape lead 29 is prevented from being deformed. The copper leaf pattern 35 includes a tin (Sn) plating layer having a thickness of about 0.5 μm on its surface portion. The copper leaf pattern 35 includes a plurality of leads, each of which has a shape as shown in FIG. 4B. Each lead is formed so that it has a lead portion 35 having a length of about 70 μm on the side of the semiconductor chip and a lead portion 35 having a length of 100 μm on the side of the lead frame 21. An intermediate portion between both the extensions is formed of a thinner wiring portion. Hereinafter, a portion of the lead portion (copper leaf pattern) 35 which is connected to the semiconductor chip is referred to as an inner lead, and a portion of the lead portion 35 which is connected to the lead frame 21 is referred to as an outer lead.

The above-mentioned tape lead is a three-layer tape lead. It is also possible to use a two-layer tape lead which does not have the insulating adhesive 34 or a single-layer tape lead consisting of only a conductive pattern. It is also possible to form bumps on the tape leads instead of the formation of bumps on the semiconductor chips.

The lead frames have a cross-sectional structure, as shown in FIG. 5. In this figure, the lead frame 21 is composed of a lead frame base 36 made of an iron-system alloy, and plating layers formed on opposed surfaces of the base 36 and made of gold (Au), silver (Ag) or the like. Since the lead frame 21 has the plating layers on the opposed surfaces of the base 36, it is possible to perform bonding on both the surfaces of the base 36. When the surface of the lead portion 35 of the tape lead 29 is plated with Sn and the lead frame 21 has the plating layers 37 on both the surfaces thereof, the tape lead 29 and the lead frame 21 form an eutectic crystal by thermocompression, so that bonding can be made.

It is not necessary to form the plating layers on portions of the tape lead 29 and the lead frames which will not be bonded.

In order to stably maintain the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 in the structure shown in FIG. 3A, it is preferable that back surfaces of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 be fixed to each other by an adhesive, such as silver paste. When the above-mentioned assembly is sealed by molding, the adhesive layer functions to provisionally fix the semiconductor chips 22 and 24. If the adhesive layer 28 is not used, the two semiconductor chips 22 and 24 will be displaced during the mold sealing process, and will be partially exposed from the molded resin. This displacement causes a stress concentration on some of the bumps 27, and the tape leads 29 may come off from the semiconductor chips 22 and 24. The adhesive layer 28 may be an insulating adhesive, such as an epoxy-system adhesive instead of the above-mentioned conductive adhesive, such as silver paste.

In the structure shown in FIG. 3A, as will be described later, the first tape leads 29 and the second tape leads 30 are simultaneously bent during a cutting process using a die, so that the semiconductor chips are maintained in a state where they float on opposed sides of the lead frames.

If tape automated bonding is carried out for the structure shown in FIG. 3A without bending the tape leads, the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 will come into contact with each other, and corners thereof may be shortcircuited. Further, a stress is exerted on contact portions where the lead frames 21 are in contact with the tape leads 29 and 30 in a direction in which the tape leads 29 and 30 are detached from the lead frames 21. Hence, there is a possibility that the tape leads 29 and 30 may come off from the tape leads 29 and 30 for long-term use. This degrades reliability of the semiconductor device.

The structure shown in FIG. 3A has upper and lower portions which are symmetrical with each other with respect to the center portion of the lead frames 1. It is preferable that the arrangement patterns of terminals (pads) formed on the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 have a mirror symmetry relationship if the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are designed to have identical functions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the arrangements of terminals formed on the semiconductor chips 22 and 24. A reference 22A indicates an internal circuit of the semiconductor chip 22, and a reference 24A indicates an internal circuit of the semiconductor chip 24. That is, FIG. 6 shows the semiconductor chip 22 viewed from the upper side thereof and the semiconductor chip 24 viewed from the lower side thereof. Terminals "1" of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are coupled to the same lead frame 21 via the tape leads 29 and 30. .The same terminal numbers of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 have the same functions and transfer the same signals. As shown, the terminal patterns of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are determined so that when both the semiconductor chips overlap with each other, the terminals having the same functions are connected to the same lead frames (mirror symmetry). When the mirror symmetry relationship is employed, it is preferable that the internal circuits 22A and 24A have the mirror symmetry relationship in light of the production process. In this case, different masks having the mirror symmetry relationship are used. However, the internal circuit 22A may be asymmetrical with the internal circuit 24A. The internal circuits 22A and 24A may also have symmetrical parts and asymmetrical parts.

Use of the terminal patterns having the mirror symmetry relationship is suitable for the case where the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 have the same functions (for example, memories). Since signals are supplied to the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 via the terminals in the structure shown in FIG. 6, it is necessary to select either the semiconductor chip 22 or the semiconductor chip 24. For this purpose, a chip select circuit 39 shown in FIG. 7 is provided in each of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24. An input terminal of the chip select circuit 39 is connected to one of the terminals (chip select terminal), and an output terminal thereof is connected to the internal circuit 22A or 24A. The chip select circuit 39 provided in the semiconductor chip 22 and the chip select circuit 39 provided in the semiconductor chip 24 operate by different logics. For example, the chip select circuit 39 of the semiconductor chip 22 outputs a high-level output signal to the internal circuit 22A when receiving a high-level signal (chip select signal) from an external device via the chip select terminal, so that the internal circuit 22A is activated. When the level of the chip select signal is low, the chip select circuit 39 of the internal circuit 22A is made inactive. The chip select circuit 39 of the semiconductor chip 24 outputs a low-level output signal to the internal circuit 24A when receiving the high-level signal via the chip select terminal, so that the internal circuit 24A is made inactive. When the chip select signal is at the low level, the chip select circuit 39 of the semiconductor chip 24 outputs the high-level signal, which activates the internal circuit 24A. In this manner, either the semiconductor chip 22 or the semiconductor chip 24 can be selected.

FIG. 6 shows a DIP arrangement, but other terminal arrangements can be configured in the same manner as described above. It is possible to connect the chip select terminals to a lead frame in common and arrange the other terminals in the mirror asymmetry. In this case, peripheral circuits of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 may be complex.

The structure shown in FIG. 3A is sealed by molding of resin. The first and second semiconductor chips 22 and 24 equipped with the bumps 27 are arranged on both sides of the lead frames 21 and connected thereto via the bent tape leads 29 and 30 in the same manner as those shown in FIG. 3A. The structure having the semiconductor chips which have been bonded to the lead frames 21 are sealed by transfer molding of resin 38, such as an epoxy resin, so that a resin molded semiconductor device is configured. As has been described previously, it is preferable that the adhesive layer 28 be provided between the semiconductor chips 22 and 24, as shown in FIG. 3A.

A description will now be given of a production process of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 8 with reference to FIGS. 9A through 9E, in which those parts which are the same as those shown in the previous figures are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 9A, inner leads of tape leads 41 respectively extending from two tapes 40 are positioned on the bumps 27 formed on the semiconductor chip 24, and bonded at a temperature of approximately 500° C by using a tool (thermode) 42.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the tape leads 41 are cut outside the polyimid tapes 33 (which are omitted in FIGS. 9B-9E) and bent by using the die. Thereby, the tape leads 30 connected to the bumps 27 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the lead frames 21 are placed close to the corresponding tape leads 30, and bonded thereto at a temperature of about 450° C. by using a bonding tool 43.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the semiconductor chip 22 obtained by the steps shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is positioned so that it faces the semiconductor chip 24, and is bonded thereto at a temperature of about 450° C. by using the bonding tool 43 in the same way as shown in FIG. 9C.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 9E, the assembly is sealed by molded resin 38.

FIG. 3D shows a variation of the structure shown in FIG. 3A. As shown, a back surface of the first semiconductor chip 22 sticks to a back surface of the semiconductor chip 24 without the adhesive layer 28. If there is no problem regarding electrical insulation, the structure shown in FIG. 3D can be used.

A description will now be given of a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 3B. The structure shown in FIG. 3B is asymmetrical with respect to the upper and lower sides of the lead frames 21. The structure shown in FIG. 3B has an upper portion which is almost the same as that of the structure shown in FIG. 3A. The tape leads 29 are so bent that a bottom surface of the semiconductor chip 22 is positioned above a central surface of the lead frames 21. The tape leads 31 connected to the lower surfaces of the lead frames 21 are not bent, but straight. If the semiconductor chip 24 is bonded to the upper sides of the tape leads 31, the two semiconductor chips will come into contact with each other. In the structure shown in FIG. 3B, the semiconductor chip 24 is bonded to the lower surfaces of the straight tape leads 31. The semiconductor chip 22 is arranged on the upper sides of the central surfaces of the lead frames 21 and the semiconductor chip 24 is arranged on the lower sides thereof. This arrangement is the same as that shown in FIG. 3A, and hence there is no physical interference between both the semiconductor chips. In the structure shown in FIG. 3B, chip faces of the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are oriented in the same direction. Hence, it is possible to use two completely identical semiconductor chips.

FIG. 3C shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are mounted on both sides of the lead frames 21 by means of two straight tape leads 31 and 32. That is, the two semiconductor chips 22 and 24 are arranged on upper sides of the tape leads 32 and 31, respectively. The tape leads 31 and 32 are spaced apart from each other at a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the lead frame 21. In the structure shown in FIG. 3C, there is no need to bend the tape leads. It is preferable that the semiconductor chips 22 and 24 have the mirror symmetry arrangements of terminals in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3A.

It is possible to selectively employ the above-mentioned three basic structures taking into account application thereof.

A description will now be given of a fourth embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 10. The fourth embodiment is a semiconductor device in which three or more semiconductor chips are stacked in a single package. The semiconductor device shown in FIG. 10 has four semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b. The semiconductor chips 52a and 52b are supported on upper lead frames 60 which are bent, and the semiconductor chips 54a and 54b are supported on lower lead frames 62 which are bent. Tape leads 56a, which are bent and connected to the bumps 57 on the semiconductor chip 52a, are bonded to upper end portions of the upper lead frames 60. Tape leads 56b, which are bent and connected to the bumps 57 on the semiconductor chip 52b (its back surface is opposed to the back surface of the semiconductor chip 52a), are bonded to lower end portions of the upper lead frames 60. A chip face of the semiconductor chip 54a (a face through which an internal circuit is exposed) is opposed to that of the semiconductor chip 52b. Bent tape leads 58a bonded to the bumps 57 of the semiconductor chip 54a are bonded to upper end portions of the lower lead frames 62. Bent tape leads 58b bonded to the bumps 57 of the semiconductor chip 54b are bonded to lower end portions of the lower lead frames 62. The back surface of the semiconductor chip 54a is opposite to the back surface of the semiconductor chip 54b. It is preferable that the aforementioned adhesive layers 28 (FIG. 3A) be interposed between the semiconductor chips 52a and 52b and between the semiconductor chips 54a and 54b. It is possible to provide the adhesive layer 28 between the semiconductor chips 52b and 54a. One upper lead frame 60 and one lower lead frame 62 are bonded together, so that a single lead frame is formed. It is possible to bond (stack) the lead frames 60 and 62 when the assembly is sealed by a molded resin 64.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a plan view of a part of this variation. The back surfaces of the semiconductor chips 52a and 52b are in contact with each other, and the back surfaces of the semiconductor chips 54a and 54b are in contact with each other. A plurality of bumps 67 arranged in a line are formed on each of the main surfaces of the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b. Each of tape leads 66a bonded to the upper end portions of the upper lead frames 60 is connected to one of the bumps 67. In the structure shown in FIG. 11B, the tape leads 66a on the right side and the tape leads 66a on the left side are alternately arranged and connected to the bumps 67. Similarly, tape leads 66b, 68a and 68b are connected to the bumps 67 formed on the semiconductor chips 52b , 54a and 54b, respectively. The end portions of the integrated lead frames 60 and 62 are bent inwardly. Each of the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b is a 16Mbit DRAM, and hence the device shown in FIG. 11A functions as a 64Mbit DRAM.

In order to select one of the semiconductor chips, as shown in FIG. 12A, each of the semiconductor chips 62a, 62b, 64a and 64b has a chip select circuit 89, which is connected to two lead frames (chip select terminals) provided in common to the semiconductor chips 62a, 62b, 64a and 64b. The chip select circuit 89 receives a two-bit chip select circuit from an external circuit, and outputs to the internal circuit a signal indicating whether the internal circuit should be activated. For example, the semiconductor chip 52a is selected when the levels of both the bits are high.

When the chip select signal is a serial signal of two bits, as shown in FIG. 12B, the chip select signal received via the chip select lead frame is converted into a two-bit parallel signal by a serial-to-parallel conversion circuit (S/P) 90, and then output to the chip select circuit 89.

When the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b have identical functions, it is preferable that the the semiconductor chips 52a and 52b have the mirror symmetry relationship and the semiconductor chips 54a and 54b have the mirror symmetry relationship. However, it is not necessarily required that the internal circuits of these semiconductor chips have the mirror symmetry relationship.

Another variation of the structure shown in FIG. 10 has five or more semiconductor chips within a single package. It would be obvious to those skill in the art to make variations and modifications.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The main surface (chip face) of the semiconductor chip 52a in which the internal circuit is formed is opposed to that of the semiconductor chip 52b. Similarly, the chip face of the semiconductor chip 54a is opposed to that of the semiconductor chip 54b. The back surface of the semiconductor chip 52b is in contact with that of the semiconductor chip 54a. It is possible to fix the back surfaces of the semiconductor chips 52b and 54a to each other by an adhesive layer. Tape leads 92 are each composed of a first tape lead 92a and a second tape lead 92b, which are stacked and electrically connected to each other. The first tape leads 92a connect the terminals (bumps) 57 on the semiconductor chip 52 to the lead frames 91, and the second tape leads 92b connect the terminals 57 to the lead frames 91. Similarly, tape leads 94 are each composed of a first tape lead 94a and a second tape lead 94b, which are electrically connected to each other. The first tape leads 94a connect the terminals 57 on the semiconductor chip 54b to the lead frames 91, and the second tape leads 94b connect the terminal on the semiconductor chip 54a to the lead frames 91. The selection of the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b is made in the manner shown in FIG. 12A or FIG. 12B. It is preferable that the semiconductor chips 52a and 52b have the mirror symmetry relationship and the semiconductor chips 54a and 54b have the mirror symmetry relationship.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b are oriented in the same direction as that in the structure shown in FIG. 13. In order to selectively activate the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b of the sixth embodiment, two lead frames, which are connected to these semiconductor chips via tape leads 96 and 98 are used. The tape lead 96 has a first tape lead 96a, a second tape lead 96b, and an insulating film 96c having a contact hole 96d. The insulating film 96c is provided between the first tape lead 96a and the second tape lead 96b. The first tape lead 96a and the second tape lead 96b are electrically connected to each other via the contact hole 96d. Similarly, the tape lead 98 is composed of first and second tape leads 98a and 98b, and an insulating film 98c having a contact hole 98c. As shown in FIG. 14B, it is possible to cut out the first tape lead 98a or the second tape lead 98b by means of a laser beam so that edge portions of the insulating layer appear through the contact hole. FIG. 14B shows that the second tape lead 98b has been cut off by the laser beam. In this manner, the second tape lead 98b is electrically disconnected from the first tape lead 98a.

In FIG. 14A, the tape lead 98b connecting the semiconductor chip 54a to the lead frame 91a (chip select terminal) and the tape lead connecting the semiconductor chip 52a to the lead frame 91b (chip select terminal) are cut off. The relationship between the two-bit chip select signal and the semiconductor chips 52a, 52b, 54a and 54b is as shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Chip Select    Signal                                                          Lead 91a       Lead 91b Selected chip                                          ______________________________________                                         1              0        52a                                                    1              1        52b                                                    0              0        54a                                                    0              1        54b                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Tape leads other than the two lead frames 91a and 91b which function as the chip select terminals can be formed with the tape leads 92 and 94 shown in FIG. 13. Of course, it is possible to form all the tape leads with the tape leads 96 and 98.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device shown in FIG. 15 is different from that shown in FIG. 13 in that tape leads are respectively bonded to lead frames at different positions of the lead frames. In the structure shown in FIG. 13, a tape lead 97a and a tape lead 97b are stacked and bonded together at one ends thereof, and bonded to the respective portions of the lead frame 91 at the other ends thereof. Similarly, a tape lead 98a and a tape lead 98b are stacked and bonded together at one ends thereof, and bonded to the respective portions of the lead frame 91 at the other ends thereof. The structure shown in FIG. 13 is formed so that the tape leads 92b and 94b are bonded to the lead frames 91 by using the bonding tool 43 shown in FIG. 9D, and then the tape leads 92a and 94a are bonded to the bonded tape leads 92b and 94b. It may be not desirable that the already bonded members be further thermocompressed. Further, a stepped part formed by the tape leads 92b and 94b may cause a problem during the second thermocompression procedure. The structure shown in FIG. 15 overcomes the above problems.

The structures of shown in FIGS. 13, 14A, 14B and 15 are sealed by molding at the respective final production steps. For the sake of simplicity, molded resin is omitted in FIGS. 13, 14A, 14B and 15.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As has been described above, according to present invention, it becomes possible to arrange a plurality of semiconductor chips in an identical area and hence increase the integration density and capacity.

The present invention is applied to, for example, a memory in an IC card. 

We claim:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising:lead frames respectively having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to each other, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces; a first semiconductor chip; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; a second semiconductor chip spaced apart from the first semiconductor chip; second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; and an electrically conductive adhesive layer which is provided between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip and which fixes the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip to each other; the first semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the second semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; and the second surface of the first semiconductor chip is opposed to the second surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 2. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the first tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the first semiconductor chip; and the second tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 3. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first tape leads and the second tape leads have respective bent portions which make the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip spaced apart from each other.
 4. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first tape leads substantially extend in parallel to the second tape leads.
 5. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; and the plurality of terminals of the first semiconductor chip are a mirror image of the plurality of terminals of the second semiconductor chip.
 6. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the lead frames include a chip select lead frame receiving a chip select signal output by an external circuit; the first semiconductor chip comprises first chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the first semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a first value; and the second semiconductor chip comprises second chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the second semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a second value.
 7. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a mirror image pattern with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip.
 8. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a pattern asymmetrical with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip°
 9. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:the first semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; and the second semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory.
 10. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead frames comprise plating layers respectively formed on the first main surfaces and the second main surfaces.
 11. A semiconductor device comprising:lead frames respectively having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to each other, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces; a first semiconductor chip; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; a second semiconductor chip; second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; and a molded resin layer which packages the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip; the first semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the second semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; the second surface of the first semiconductor chip is opposed to the second surface of the second semiconductor chip; and substantially only the molded resin layer fills a space between the second surface of the first semiconductor chip and the second surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 12. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the first tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the first semiconductor chip; and the second tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 13. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first tape leads and the second tape leads have respective bent portions which make the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip spaced apart from each other.
 14. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first tape leads substantially extend in parallel to the second tape leads.
 15. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; and the plurality of terminals of the first semiconductor chip are a mirror image of the plurality of terminals of the second semiconductor chip.
 16. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the lead frames includes a chip select lead frame receiving a chip select signal output by an external circuit; the first semiconductor chip comprises first chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the first semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a first value; and the second semiconductor chip comprises second chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the second semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a second value.
 17. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a mirror image pattern with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip.
 18. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a pattern asymmetrical with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip.
 19. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein:the first semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; and the second semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory.
 20. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lead frames comprise plating layers respectively formed on the first main surfaces and the second main surfaces.
 21. A semiconductor device comprising:lead frames respectively having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to each other, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces; a first semiconductor chip; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; a second semiconductor chip; and second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; the first semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the second semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor ship; and the second surface of the first semiconductor chip is opposed to and in direct contact with the second surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 22. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals on the first surface thereof; the first tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the first semiconductor chip; and the second tape leads are connected to the plurality of terminals formed on the first surface of the second semiconductor chip.
 23. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first tape leads and the second tape leads have respective bent portions which make the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip spaced apart from each other.
 24. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first tape leads substantially extend in parallel to the second tape leads.
 25. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; the second semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of terminals; and the plurality of terminals of the first semiconductor chip are a mirror image of the plurality of terminals of the second semiconductor chip.
 26. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the lead frames includes a chip select lead frame receiving a chip select signal output by an external circuit; the first semiconductor chip comprises first chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the first semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a first value; and the second semiconductor chip comprises second chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the second semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a second value.
 27. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a mirror image pattern with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip.
 28. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the first semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; the second semiconductor chip comprises an internal circuit; and the internal circuit of the first semiconductor chip has a pattern asymmetrical with that of the internal circuit of the second semiconductor chip.
 29. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein:the first semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; and the second semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory.
 30. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the lead frames comprise plating layers respectively formed on the first main surfaces and the second main surfaces.
 31. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair located in a position opposite to the first pair; a plurality of lead frames having first portions and second portions spaced apart from the first portions, the first and second portions having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to the first main surfaces, the first pair being located on the side of the first portions of the lead frames, the second pair being located on the side of the second portions of the lead frames, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces, the plurality of lead frames extending into the semiconductor device, but not extending substantially between the first pair and not extending substantially between the second pair; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; third tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the third semiconductor chip; fourth tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the fourth semiconductor chip; and a molded resin layer packaging the first through fourth semiconductor chips, the molded resin layer filling a space between the first and second semiconductor chips and a space between the third and fourth semiconductor chips.
 32. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein:the first semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the second semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; the third semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the third semiconductor chip; the fourth semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the fourth semiconductor chip; the second surface of the third semiconductor chip is opposed to the second surface of the fourth semiconductor chip; and the first surface of the second semiconductor chip is opposed to the first surface of the third semiconductor chip.
 33. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein:each of the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chips has terminals arranged in a line at a central portion of a surface thereof; and the first, second, third and fourth tape leads are connected to the terminals of the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chips, respectively.
 34. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the semiconductor device comprises a molded resin layer which packages the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chips.
 35. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein:the plurality of lead frames include at least one chip select lead frame receiving a chip select signal output by an external circuit; the first semiconductor chip comprises first chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the first semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a first value; the second semiconductor chip comprises second chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the second semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a second value; the third semiconductor chip comprises third chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the third semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a third value; and the fourth semiconductor chip comprises fourth chip select means, connected to the chip select lead frame, for activating the fourth semiconductor chip when the chip select signal has a fourth value.
 36. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein:the first semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; the second semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; the third semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory; and the fourth semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory.
 37. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 31, wherein said semiconductor device comprises:a first adhesive layer which is provided between the first and second semiconductor chips and fixes the first and second semiconductor chips to each other; and a second adhesive layer which is provided between the third and fourth semiconductor chips and fixes the third and fourth semiconductor chips to each other.
 38. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair; the distance between the first and fourth semiconductor chips being..greater than the distance between the first and third semiconductor chips and the distance between the first and third semiconductor chips being greater than the distance between the first and second semiconductor chips; lead frames having first and second surfaces, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to the first surfaces of the lead frames; and second tape leads electrically connecting the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second surfaces of the lead frames.
 39. A semiconductor chip as claimed in claim 38, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chip is a semiconductor memory.
 40. A semiconductor chip as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a molded resin layer which packages the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor chips.
 41. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 38, wherein:the first semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the second semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; the first surface of the first semiconductor chip including the internal circuit thereof is opposed to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; the third semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; the fourth semiconductor chip has a first surface including an internal circuit, and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip; and the first surface of the third semiconductor chip is opposed to the first surface of the fourth semiconductor chip.
 42. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the second surface of the second semiconductor chip is in contact with the second surface of the third semiconductor chip.
 43. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the second surface of the second semiconductor chip is spaced apart from the second surface of the third semiconductor chip.
 44. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 38, wherein:the first tape leads have first and second tape portions which overlap with each other; the first tape portions are connected to the first semiconductor chip, and the second tape portions connect the second semiconductor chip to the first main surfaces of the lead frames; the second tape leads have first and second tape portions which overlap with each other; the first tape portions of the second tape leads connect the third semiconductor chip to the second main surfaces of the lead frames; and the second tape portions of the second tape leads are connected to the fourth semiconductor chip.
 45. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 44, wherein the first and second tape portions of each of the first and second tape leads are in close contact with each other and electrically connected to each other.
 46. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 44, wherein:the first and second tape portions of the first tape leads are bonded to the first main surfaces of the lead frames at first and second positions thereon; and the first and second tape portions of the second tape leads are bonded to the second main surfaces of the lead frames at first and second positions thereon.
 47. A semiconductor chip as claimed in claim 46, wherein the first and second positions on the first main surface are opposed to the first and second positions on the second main surface.
 48. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair; lead frames having first and second surfaces, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to the first surfaces of the lead frames; and second tape leads electrically connecting the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second surfaces of the lead frames; at least one chip select tape lead is included in the first and second tape leads; the chip select tape lead has an insulating film interposed between a first tape portion and a second tape portion thereof; said insulating film has a contact hole; and the first and second tape portions of the chip select tape lead are electrically connected to each other through the contact hole.
 49. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair; lead frames having first and second surfaces, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to the first surfaces of the lead frames; and second tape leads electrically connecting the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second surfaces of the lead frames; at least one chip select tape lead is included in the first and second tape leads; the chip select tape lead has an insulating film interposed between a first tape portion and a second tape portion thereof; said insulating film has a contact hole; one of the first and second tape portions of the chip select tape lead has a cut-out portion through which the contract hole is exposed; and the first and :second tape portions of the chip select tape lead are electrically insulated from each other by the insulating film.
 50. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair; lead frames having first and second surfaces, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second surfaces; first tape leads electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips to the first surfaces of the lead frames; second tape leads electrically connecting the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second surfaces of the lead frames; fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth tape leads for use in chip selection; and first and second chip select leads of the lead frames for chip select; the fifth tape lead electrically connects the first and second semiconductor chips to the first chip select lead; the sixth tape lead electrically connects one of the first and second semiconductor chips to the second chip select lead; the seventh tape lead electrically connects the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the first chip select lead; and the eighth tape lead electrically connects one of the third and fourth semiconductor chips to the second chip select lead.
 51. A semiconductor device as claimed in claim 50, wherein:the first chip select lead has a first main surface bonded to the fifth tape lead, and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the first chip select lead and bonded to the seventh tape lead; and the second chip select lead has a third main surface bonded to the sixth tape lead, and a fourth main surface opposite to the third main surface and bonded to the eighth tape lead.
 52. A semiconductor device comprising:first and second semiconductor chips forming a first pair; third and fourth semiconductor chips forming a second pair located in a position opposite to the first pair; a plurality of lead frames having first portions and second portions spaced apart from the first portions, the first and second portions having first main surfaces and second main surfaces opposite to the first main surfaces, the first pair being located on the side of the first portions of the lead frames, the second pair being located on the side of the second portions of the lead frames, bonding being able to be performed on the first and second main surfaces, the plurality of lead frames extending into the semiconductor device, but not extending substantially between the first pair and not extending substantially between the second pair; first tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the first semiconductor chip; second tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the first portions of the lead frames to the second semiconductor chip; third tape leads electrically connecting the first main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the third semiconductor chip; fourth tape leads electrically connecting the second main surfaces of the second portions of the lead frames to the fourth semiconductor chip; a first electrically conductive adhesive layer provided between the first and second semiconductor chips and adhering the first and second semiconductor chips to one another; and a second electrically conductive adhesive layer provided between the third and fourth semiconductor chips and adhering the third and fourth semiconductor chips to one another.- 